Atlantic & Rural Pilots
Several pilots target Canada's Atlantic provinces and smaller communities. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is now permanent. The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) launched in 2025 to replace the previous Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Reminder: IRCC.com is an independent news and information site — we do not handle applications or give advice. Verify all program details on canada.ca. For personal advice, contact a CICC-licensed consultant or a Canadian immigration lawyer.
What this section covers
- Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) — designated employers, endorsement, settlement plan
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) — 14 designated communities
- Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)
- Priority occupations by community
- Endorsement letters and the application process
- Comparing AIP vs RCIP eligibility
Frequently asked questions
Which communities are part of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP)?
RCIP launched in 2025 with 14 designated communities across six provinces. The list and priority occupations differ by community — verify current designations on canada.ca.
Latest in Atlantic & Rural Pilots
2 articles — sourced from canada.ca and explained.
Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots: Canada's New Permanent Programs (2024)
On March 6, 2024, Canada announced the launch of two new immigration pilots — the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot — both designed to attract immigrants to specific designated communities outside Quebec. The pilots will eventually
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): A Pathway to PR in Atlantic Canada
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a permanent program for skilled foreign workers and international graduates with a job offer from a designated employer in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Prince Edward Island. The program prioritizes settlement
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